Dibrugarh, Sept. 3: Defending champions and strong contenders Assam State Electricity Board Sports Club stormed into the semifinals of the 20th edition of the J.N. Bhuyan football tournament, outplaying Barekuri Regional Sports Association 6-0 in the last quarterfinal played at the Tinsukia District Sports Association ground here today.

Sarbananda Sonowal scored the first goal for the team in the 8th minute, followed by Zico Zoram Sanga in the 22nd minute. Skipper Thong Thong Kom did not make any mistake in converting the penalty, which was offered by the referee due to handling of the ball by a Barekuri defender in the 32nd minute. ASEB led 3-0 till the breather.

Priyo Kumar Singh made it 4-0 for his team in the 55th minute as Zico was brought down by a Barekuri defender inside the box. Zico scored the fifth goal for his team in the 70th minute followed by Priyo Kumar Singh in the 82nd minute.

Tomorrow, North Imphal Sports Association, Manipur, will take on Oil India Limited, Duliajan, in the first semifinal while ASEB will meet Assam Rifles in the second semifinal on Wednesday. The final will be played on Friday.

Slim win for cops

Barhampur’s 9 Assam Police Battalion defeated Star Sporting Club 2-1 to win a match of the Nagaon first division football tournament played at the Nurul Amin stadium on Monday, says our correspondent from Nagaon.

Royal Mirdha and Aliullah Ahmed scored the two goals for the police team. Raju Timung scored the lone goal for Star Club.